ANTICIPATED MILITARY OPERATIONS IN THE DELTA

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001354 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2013 TAGS: EPET PINS PGOV ASEC NI SUBJECT: ANTICIPATED MILITARY OPERATIONS IN THE DELTA REF: A. ABUJA 01333 ¶B. ABUJA 01338 Classified By Charge Dawn Liberi. Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). 1) (C) Summary: In telcon with Embassy corporate responsibility officer (CRO) Charge was informed that military operations into the Delta region were imminent and would start within 48 hours, though possibly as early as tomorrow August 9. End summary. 2) (C) Charge was called by CRO who is in Port Harcourt and was informed that Shell Oil head of security had contacted CRO to inform him that shell had taken several army generals on a helicopter overflight of the Delta (Warri region) earlier today as part of a reconnaissance visit. 3) (C) Shell security chief indicated that plans were afoot for the military to commence operations in the delta within the next 48 hours. Speculation is that these operations could begin as soon as Saturday August 9 or early Monday morning August 11. Given Sunday church services it was thought that the possibility of collateral casualties would deter a Sunday operation. 4) (C) In a separate conversation, CRO had been informed that the Chief of Police was sending approximately 100 hi-lux all terrain vehicles to the Delta. Of note, these vehicles were purchased purportedly by the Niger Delta Development Corp (NDDC). ¶5. (C) Post will monitor situation closely and report accordingly. LIBERI